Spirochete Diseases - Syphilis

What is the Genus and species of Syphilis?

Treponema pallidum

What is seen in the PRIMARY stage of Syphilis?

CHANCRE

a painless legion usually on genital areas

What is seen in the SECONDARY stage of Syphilis

Systemic systems a characteristic RASH ALL OVER THE BODY

What is seen in the LATENT (3rd) stage of Syphilis?

Asymptomatic

What is seen in the TERTIARY stage of Syphilis?

Gummas, cardiovascular

NEUROSYPHILIS

What is the often used for treatment of Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)?

Penicillin

Which Syphilis is associated with mother’s Treponemas crossing the placenta and infecting the baby?

Congenital Syphilis

Which test is used to confirm the presence of Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in babies?

Infant IgM specific treponemal test

What are the two ways to diagnose Syphilis in lab?

1. Direct = Darkfield microscopy

2. Serological = Treponemal or Nontreponemal tests

Which kind of microscopy is used for the DIRECT detection of Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)?

Dark-field microscopy

Which visualizes the SPIROCHETE

Which sample is used in Dark-field microscopy to view the Spirochete?

Lesion fluid

FROM THE CHANCRE IN PRIMARY STAGE

What does an ACTIVE LESION in Syphilis indicate?

EARLY primary disease FIRST STAGE

What are the two types of Serological testings done for Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)

1. Treponemal Tests

2. Non Treponemal Tests

What do NON Treponemal tests detect?

The presence of REAGIN

NOT SPECIFIC TO SYPHILIS!!!!!!

What is REAGIN?

Reagin is a lipid released by cells after they are damaged as a result of infection

Which are the TWO main NONtreponemal tests?

1. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test (VDRL)

2. Rapid plasma RAEGIN (RPR)

Which type of tests are best to MONITOR Syphilis infection?

NONTREPONEMAL (VDRL & RDR)

These will only be + when the infection is ACTIVE

Unlike the treponemal which remain ALWAYS ACTIVE due to antibodies

Which NONtreponemal Test utilizes charcoal particles with patient serum?

RPR

What should happen to RPR titers in the LATENT STAGE of Syphilis infection?

Latent = inactive/asymptomatic

Titers will DECREASE/become non-reactive

What are the two TREPONEMAL tests?

These will be SPECIFIC to Treponema pallidum

1. FTA-ABS

2. TP-PA

What do the TREPONEMAL tests look for?

These TREPONEMAL TESTS will look for

ANTIBODIES specific to T. pallidum

What are the Treponemal tests used for?

CONFIRMATION

They will REMAIN POSITIVE so not good for monitoring

In CONGENITAL syphilis, what is being tested for?

The presence of IgM, indicating that the baby made it since IgM does NOT CROSS PLACENTA

IgG crosses only!!!

What is the test done for Neurosyphilis?

CSF-VDRL